Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting The Us Military February 2008 Report

This report is comprised of summary and analysis of topics that deal with environmental issues affecting the U.S. military. Topics include: climate change, technology assessment, cleanup technologies, water purification, organic pollutants, marine environments, environmental protection, air pollution, ecosystems, food shortages, melting glaciers, climate models, global warming, nanotechnology safety issues, and radiation sources.

This report is comprised of summaries and analysis of environmental issues affecting the U.S. military. Topics include: nuclear weapons, technology assessments, chemical emissions, biological weapons, climate, waste disposal, plastic threats to marine environment, water management, climate change, security implications of climate change, energy efficiency and cleanup technology.

The UN Secretary-General has appointed a 15-member international high-level panel to explore how to improve the work and efficiency of the UN system in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance, and environment. The study's outcomes will be used for the comprehensive UN management reform, complementing such other major reform initiatives as the new Peacebuilding Commission and the new Human Rights Council. The study is expected to be completed by the summer and its recommendations formally presented to the UN General Assembly in September 2006, with possible implementation in 2007.

The world's first international research center dedicated to "creeping environmental problems" has been established in the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou. These are the slow and cumulative problems, like global warming and desertification. The Center's vice-president, Ye Qian, is from the US National Center for Atmospheric Research. There will be more than 20 scientists from various countries working on the center's projects. The military should consider establishing liaison with this institution, and follow its work. It affords an excellent opportunity to maintain contact with research and researchers on global long-range environmental issues.

These pages comprise the summary and analysis of this report, which include topics such as: biosafety protocol advances, cluster munitions, hazardous chemicals, Afro-Arab strategy for addressing agricultural developments, waste management, water management, technological advances with environmental security implications, energy, global warming, and climate change.

This report is comprised of summaries and analysis of environmental issues affecting the U.S. military. Topics include: environmental security, energy, biodiversity, natural resources, emissions, energy security, malaria epidemics, climate change, food and water security, computer modeling, and nanotechnology safety issues.

The 16th annual conference on water took place in Stockholm, during World Water Week, August 20-26. Reports released during this week warned of possible consequences of future water scarcity, such as increased cost of water, civil unrest, mass migration, and economic collapse. There was consensus that poor management of water resources and soaring water usage are the main causes of water scarcity increasing worldwide faster than expected; and, unless there are drastic policy changes around the world, the grim statistics will only worsen, mostly in the densely populated and poor regions of China, Mexico, and India. A report by The World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Rich countries, poor water, warns that wealthy nations are threatened by a water crisis similarly to the drought-plagued poor countries, due to climate change, drought, loss of natural wetlands, and over-consumption by industry, agriculture and big cities. The report suggests seven ways to address the problem. The International Water Management Institute notes that while over the past 100 years water usage had increased six-fold, it is expected to double again by 2050. The World Bank estimates that 20-40% of water sector finances are lost to corruption. Water experts and businesses formed the Water Integrity Network (WIN) to combat corruption in the water sector. WIN is open to all. Transparency International and water corporations are the initial principal members. WIN seeks reforms to improve regulations and transparency, as well as increase public awareness.

Building on the "Ocean Security Conference" held in the US Congress in May 1997 and the "Towards Enhancement of Ocean Security in the Third Millennium" conference held in the Swedish Parliament in January 1998, the International Conference for the Initiative of Environmental Security of Seas and Oceans was held in Tripoli, Libya, 23-25 July 2005 as the first of three international conferences on the Ocean Security Initiative. It was organized by the Advisory Committee on Protection of Seas and Oceans (ACOPS) under the patronage of the Gadhafi International Foundation for Charities Associations and the Environmental General Authority of Great Jamahiriya. Ocean environment and security experts from 26 countries representing governments, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector participated. The conference addressed the environmental security issues relating to the seas and oceans from a broad perspective ranging from illegal immigration to transnational organized crime. Participants stressed that international and trans-institutional collective action was required to assure compliance with international terms and standards for improved ocean environmental security. Relevant military personnel should review outcomes of the July 2005 conference to determine whether new, relevant issues or opportunities were created. Military-to-military cooperation with Libya should be considered, given Libya's new international posture. Relevant military personnel should study the Tripoli Declaration on Ocean Security and contact the US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and the US Congressional delegation led by Congressman Curt Weldon to explore the range of possibilities for cooperation.